Adjustable shelf storage system

ABSTRACT

One section of a shelf storage system comprises a first unit having front and rear lower vertical members, each lower vertical member comprising a C-shaped, hollow channel having a base plate at one end, the vertical lower members being coupled together by braces. The vertical lower members have first and second adjacent row of notches formed on one surface thereof. A second unit, essentially identical to the first unit, is spaced from the first unit and joined thereto by cross members having locking lugs attached to each end. The locking lugs engage two adjacent notches formed in the first row on the surface of the front and rear vertical members of the first and second unit whereby the first and second units are secured together. The cross beams have a lip portion which is adapted to support a shelf or similar item positioned therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention provides a shelf storage system which is easily disassembled into component parts which are storable in a compact volume and wherein the height and length of the system is adjustable.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Shelf storage systems are available in the prior art, including these which are modular and expandable, for household use. However, these systems tend to be difficult to assemble and often require tools to join different sections together to increase the height and extent of the system. In addition, the components which form the system tend to be bulky and cumbersome and not easily stored or packaged.

[0005] What is desired is to provide a shelf storage system for household use wherein the height and extent of the system is easily adjustable to meet a user's requirements and wherein the system component parts, when disassembled, can be stored in a compact volume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a shelf storage system which is easily adjusted to increase its height and extent. The system comprises a first unit having front and rear lower vertical members, each lower vertical member comprising a C-shaped hollow channel having a base plate at one end, the vertical lower members being coupled together by braces. The vertical members have first and second adjacent row of notches, or openings, formed on one surface thereof A second unit, essentially identical to the first unit, is spaced from the first unit and joined thereto by cross members having locking lugs attached to each end. The locking lugs engage two adjacent notches formed on the first row on the surface of the front and rear vertical members of the first and second unit whereby the first and second units are secured together to form a first section. The cross beams have a lip portion which is adapted to support or similar item a shelf positioned therebetween.

[0007] A third unit of the system comprises front and rear upper vertical members, each upper vertical member comprising a C-shaped hollow channel having extensions protruding from one end, the vertical upper members being joined together by braces. The upper vertical members have first and second adjacent row of notches formed on one surface thereof A fourth unit, identical to the third unit, is spaced from the third unit and joined thereto by cross members having locking lugs attached to each end. The locking lugs engage two adjacent notches formed in the first row on the surface of the front and rear upper vertical members of the third and fourth unit whereby the third and fourth members are joined together to form a second section.

[0008] To form the assembled basic storage shelf system of the present invention, the second section is positioned above the first section and the extensions protruding from the bottom end of the upper vertical members are inserted into the channels formed in the lower vertical members which form the first section. If the user desires to increase the extent, or length, of the system, a fifth unit, identical to the first and second unit, is spaced from the second unit and a cross beam, having locking lugs on both ends, has the locking lug on one end inserted into adjacent notches formed on the fifth unit, the locking lug on the other end being inserted into two notches in the second row of notches formed on the surface of the lower vertical member of the second unit, thereby securing the fifth unit to the first and second units.

[0009] The present invention thus provides a shelf storage system that is easily adjustable to increase the height and extent thereof and wherein the disassembled components that form the system can be stored or packaged in a compact volume.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein:

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates the lower vertical member;

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates the upper vertical member;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through one leg of the vertical member;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the lower portion of one leg of the upper vertical member;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0016]FIG. 6 illustrates a cross member;

[0017]FIG. 7 illustrates the locking lugs of the cross member shown in FIG. 6;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a front view of an assembled storage unit in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line 12-12 of FIG. 10;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line 13-13 of FIG. 10;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line 14-14 of FIG. 10;

[0025]FIG. 15 illustrates the use of the storage unit of the present invention to store clothes;

[0026]FIG. 16 and 17 illustrate additional uses of the storage device of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 18 illustrates the expansion of the storage device of the present invention in the longitudinal direction; and

[0028]FIG. 19 illustrates how the components that form the storage unit of the present invention can be positioned to minimize packaging volume.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, one unit 8 of the adjustable shelf storage system of the present invention is illustrated. Specifically, unit 8 comprises front and rear lower vertical members, or legs, 10 and 12, respectively. Each lower vertical member has an opening 14 forming a C-shaped, hollow channel, and a lower plate 16, an opening 18 is formed in lower plate 16 to receive a fastening member to secure the members to a surface, if required. One surface of each vertical member 10 and 12 has a plurality of notches, or openings, 22 formed in two adjacent rows as illustrated, the notches adapted to receive a cross member as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Brace members 26, 28 and 30 are provided to strengthen the stability of the assembled unit 8.

[0030]FIG. 2 illustrates a second unit 30 of the adjustable shelf storage system of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates front and rear upper vertical members, or legs, 32 and 34, respectively. Each vertical member has an opening 36 forming a C-shaped hollow channel and lower protrusions, or extensions, 38. The surface of each vertical member 32 and 34 has a plurality of notches, or openings, 40 formed in two adjacent rows, the notches adapted to receive a cross member as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Brace members 42, 44 and 46 are provided to strengthen the stability of the assembled unit 30.

[0031] To form a first section 31 of the storage assembly of the present, lower front and rear vertical members 10 are joined together by cross members 60 in a manner as will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 6-8.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 illustrating lower vertical leg 12 and portions of braces 26, 28 and 30. Braces 26 and 30 are shown as being welded to the interior wall 50 of leg 12 and brace 28 is shown as welded to the outer surface of brace 30.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the lower portion of leg 32 of upper vertical member 30 and shows extension portion 38 welded to the inner surface 52 of leg 32 and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through leg 32.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of cross member 60 which, as will be set forth hereinafter, couples the first unit 8 and second unit 30 of the storage assembly together. Cross member 60 comprises a L-shaped beam 62 having locking lugs 64 and 66 attached to opposite ends of beam 62.

[0035]FIG. 7 is a detail of locking lug 66. Locking lug 66 (the construction of lock lug 64 is identical) comprises a L-shaped bracket 68 having protrusions 70 and 72 extending from surface 74 of bracket 68 as illustrated.

[0036]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view through locking lug 66 and FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of cross member 60.

[0037]FIG. 10 illustrates the assembled basic shelf storage configuration of the present invention. In particular, vertical upper members 32 are joined together by two cross members 60 (only the front cross member is illustrated) to thus form a section 55; section 55 is then positioned above section 31 and aligned such that extensions 38 of upper vertical members 32 and 34 are positioned above channels 14 in corresponding lower vertical members 10 and 12, respectively. The user then moves sections 31 and 55 towards each other such that extensions 38 are positioned within the openings 14 formed in the corresponding lower vertical members. It should be noted that the extension (or joint) 38 can be attached instead to the top of the lower vertical members in a manner that they would be positioned in the channels, or openings, formed in the bottom of the upper vertical members to replace the extensions in this configuration to thus couple the two sections together.

[0038] Although FIG. 10 illustrates the assembled basic storage configuration of the present invention; it should be understood that other configurations of the storage unit are available. For example, the two lower vertical member units 10 can be coupled together with cross beams 60 and the upper vertical members 32 eliminated. Further, additional cross members 60 can be added to provide additional shelf space for any configuration choosen.

[0039] In addition, the method of assembly of the basic unit illustrated can vary. For example, as noted hereinabove, the first section 31 can be assembled first, the second section 55 assembled second and the two assembled sections then connected together using cross beams 60. Alternately, the first unit can be initially joined to the third unit, cross beams 60 added, the second and fourth units secured to the corresponding lower vertical members and the third cross beam added, and so on. In addition, the height of the configuration shown in FIG. 10 can be further increased by additional sections on top of the sections illustrated.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view through locking lug 64 and lower vertical leg 10 showing how cross beam 60 is secured to the vertical members. The cross beam 60 is positioned such that the protrusions 70 and 72 of locking lug 64 is adjacent two corresponding notches 40 in the left lower vertical member 10; the protrusions are inserted through the larger portion of the notch 40 and then forced downward into the smaller recess of notch 40, forming a lock. The procedure is repeated with the right lower vertical number 10. The same procedure set forth hereinabove is utilized to secure rear upper and lower vertical members 12 and 34 to adjacent upper and lower vertical members.

[0041]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through the upper and lower vertical legs.

[0042]FIG. 13 illustrates how lower cross beam 60 can be used to support a wire mess shelf 90; FIG. 14 illustrates how upper cross beam 60 can be used to support a wood shelf 92 and FIG. 15 illustrates how cross beam 60 can be used to support a clothes rod 94.

[0043]FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing illustrating how two assembled vertical members 80 and 82 can be used to support a desk or work station unit 100 and FIG. 17 illustrates how two assembled vertical members 80 and 82 can be used as a closed cabinet 102.

[0044]FIG. 18 illustrates how the shelf storage device of the present invention can provide extended (or lengthened) shelfing. In particular, a second connected shelfing unit 110 is formed by using two cross beams 60 to connect lower vertical members 10 (rear lower vertical members not shown) of a fifth unit, constructed identically to the first and second units, to the lower vertical member 10 of the second unit by connecting the left locking lug to adjacent notches formed on the other row of notches. The right locking lug is then connected to adjacent notches formed in one row of the fifth unit as illustrated.

[0045]FIG. 19 illustrates how the disassembled components of the shelf storage device of the present invention can be positioned in a minimum volume with the cross-beams 60 stored between the vertical members to reduce the cost of packaging and shipping.

[0046] While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelf storage system comprising: a first unit having front and rear vertical members, each vertical member comprising a C-shaped hollow channel and having a base plate on one end thereof, a plurality of notches formed on one surface of said front and rear vertical members of said first unit; a second unit having front and rear vertical members, each vertical member comprising a C-shaped hollow channel and a base plate on one end thereof; a plurality of notches formed on one surface of said front and rear vertical members of said second unit; a first cross beam having first and second ends, said first end of said first cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said front vertical member of said first unit, said second end of said first cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said front vertical member of said second unit; and a second cross beam having first and second ends, said first end of said second cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said rear vertical member of said first unit; said second end of said second cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said rear vertical member of said second unit.
 2. The shelf storage system of claim 1 wherein each of said vertical members have first and second ends, one end of each vertical member having a base plate formed thereon.
 3. The shelf storage system of claim 1 further including: a third unit having front and rear vertical members, each vertical member comprising a C-shaped channel and having extensions formed on one end thereof; a plurality of notches formed on one surface of said front and rear vertical members of said third unit; a fourth unit having front and rear vertical members, each vertical member comprising a C-shaped hollow channel and having extensions found on one end thereof; a plurality of notches formed on one surface of said front and rear vertical members of said fourth unit; a first cross beam having first and second ends, said first end of said first cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said front vertical member of said third unit, said second end of said first cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said front vertical member of said fourth unit; and a second cross beam having first and second ends, said first end of said second cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said rear vertical member of said third unit; said second end of said second cross beam being coupled to selected notches formed on the surface of said rear vertical member of said fourth unit.
 4. The shelf system of claim 3 wherein the extensions formed on the ends of said vertical members forming said third and fourth unit are positioned within channels in the vertical members forming said first and second units. 